Pickleball catches on with the senior crowd
Twice a week at the Crystal Community Center, the gym becomes a gathering place for roughly 30 seniors. "I've encouraged many people to come. Many of my friends are coming," said Karen Omtvedt, a senior from Golden Valley. Those 30 seniors come armed with paddles, Wiffle balls and an outgoing spirit to play pickleball. "It's not nearly as strenuous as tennis," said Mark Wersal, a senior from Golden Valley. "You can play indoors as opposed to tennis, which is almost strictly outdoors." Pickleball debuted here a little more than a year ago thanks in large part to Crystal recreation supervisor Marcia Bach. "It's really attracting older adults who maybe played tennis at one time but can't handle an entire court anymore," Bach said. "And it still is a great workout and wonderful exercise." The game attracts folks of various ages. "I call myself a junior senior," Omtvedt said. "And we've got some senior seniors." Pickleball also attracts all types of personalities. "I am the alpha male around here," Wersal said with a laugh. But pickleball provides each person in this group with the same physical benefits. "This will help you get in shape," Wersal added. "I'm not here to make my body look good. I'm here to make sure I have endurance," Omtvedt said. The court is less than one half the size of a tennis court, the net is smaller and the serve is done underhanded like in badminton. And according to the players, nearly every one can do it. "It's not too difficult," Omtvedt said. "It's easy to learn, and you can play it at whatever level you want." Yet aside from the health benefits, the seniors have the added bonus of making some new friends along the way. "There's a certain amount of camaraderie with the other players and such," Wersal said. "Great people here. Wonderful people," Omtvedt added. Pickleball takes place at the Crystal Community Center every Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $2 and registration is not required. Delane Cleveland twelve.tv/ www.facebook.com/12localnews twitter.com/12LocalNews 12 News is on Comcast cable channel 12 in the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis and includes the cities Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale.
